Blake stood outside of Crosshares and stared at her phone anxiously. It was almost eight. Yang should be there soon. She adjusted her shirt for tenth time and leaned against the brick wall of the pub.

"Are you sure you don't want to wait inside?" Velvet stuck her head out of the door and stared at her in concern. "It's a little chilly out tonight. You'd be warmer in here."

Blake shook her head. "No thanks Vel. The fresh air is nice."

"If you say so," she sighed and ducked back into the bar to tend to her patrons.

"It's almost eight," Blake huffed. "If she isn't here by eight ten then I'll just head home. It's not like it's far."

"Well well," a familiar slurred speech to her left made her snap her head up. It was the drunk man from the bar last night. "How about that drink?"

Blake rolled her eyes, silently wishing she hadn't left her weapon on its rack at home. "How about no," she snapped.

"I don't see the harm in a little drink among friends."

"Oh is that what we are? Call me skeptical but I don't always want to connect my fist to my friends' face. Repeatedly."

He inched closer and Blake flattened herself against the brick wall. "We could be great friends if you just let me buy you that drink."

"This didn't end so well for you last time," she hissed. "What makes you think today will be any different?"

He leaned in even closer and Blake could smell the alcohol. His whole body reeked of it. "Because you don't have that pretty blond around to save you."

Just as he reached his hand up to try and touch her, and before she was able to react to him, the roaring engine of a motorcycle shook the air. The biker had driven up onto the sidewalk and put their motorcycle between Blake and her attacker. When the man tried to make another move the biker jerked their bike forward, almost knocking him over.

"C'mon Blake get on!" The voice coming from under the full faced helmet was undeniably Yang.

Blake jumped onto the back of the motorcycle and wrapped her arms around Yang's waist. "What was that about not having a pretty blond around?" She teased as Yang sped off down the street.

As soon as they were a few blocks from the bar Yang pulled into an empty parking lot and turned her engine off. She expertly spun herself around on her bike so she was facing Blake and whipped off her helmet.

"Are you okay?" She asked frantically, concern etched into her face. "He didn't touch you did he? I swear I'll kick his ass."

Blake placed a hand on Yang's arm instantly calming her. "Breathe Yang. He didn't even touch me. Now that's twice in two days that you've managed to save my ass. From the same guy no less. I feel like I should be paying you!" she chuckled and hopped off the motorcycle. "So what's for dinner?"

Yang let out a relieved breath as she hung her helmet off her handlebars. "I hope you like seafood," she flashed Blake a grin that made her heart skip.

How did she guess that it's my favorite food? Blake kept her question to herself and instead nodded enthusiastically. "I love it."

The restaurant Yang brought them too was only a couple blocks from where she parked the bike and it was much fancier than Blake had anticipated. Inside the building was dimly lit and soft piano music played in the background. She almost felt underdressed not to mention Yang's casual look made her stand out even more than her already firey aura made her.

"Miss Xiao Long!" The hostess greeted them warmly and motioned for them to follow her. "It's been awhile. Follow me."

Blake ignored the looks of the five other groups that had gotten there before them and waited until the hostess left before she spoke. "So did you make a reservation?"

Yang chuckled as she shook her head. "I don't need to make a reservation here."

"Lemme guess. You know the owner?"

"Yes but it's not like it is with Crosshares," Yang started when their waiter showed up. She held up a single finger to tell Blake she would continue in a moment. "I'll have a dust margarita, red, and a glass of water."

Their waiter nodded and looked at Blake who was looking and Yang with a confused expression. "I'm sorry but what did you just order?"

"A dust margarita," Yang smirked. "This place is famous for them," she gave the waiter a good pat on the chest. "Tell her about them."

"Our dust margaritas are a simple margarita that is infused with a dust of your choice that gives the drink a bit of a flare. Miss Xiao Long ordered a red meaning it is infused with red dust and therefore is presented with the rim on fire."

Blake's eyes widened in shock. "And you drink it just like that?"

"Well I blow out the flames first," Yang laughed. "I might be daring but I would like to keep my lips thank you."

Blake found herself glancing at Yang's lips. They were full and seemed to have a perpetual smirk with a hint of mischief. I would like you to keep them too. She shook her head to clear her mind and focused her attention back on the waiter. "What other dust do you have?"

"We have the red as I've told you. Blue which keeps the drink refreshingly cold for hours, it's perfect for sippers. The yellow creates a miniature storm in your drink but don't worry it's harmless. And the black uses gravity dust to float your ice above your drink for a few minutes before gently lowering them into the glass."

"I'll take the black dust margarita and a water please," the waiter nodded and scurried off, allowing Blake to focus back on Yang. "So you were saying how you knew the owners."

She huffed as she thought. "It was a few years ago, I was still working as a Huntress, when a few Ursa had wondered into town. They smelled the seafood here and crashed in through the front window. I managed to get here just before the owner was killed. I've gotten the VIP treatment here every since."

Their waiter returned with their drinks and as amazing as Blake's look with its ice gently floating it was the dancing flames over Yang's drink that kept her attention. Yang winked at her before gently blowing the flames out and took a long drink.

"So you still want to hear those stories?"

"I would love too."

--

"You did what?!" Blake's voice squeaked as she leaned over her food. She had seemed incredibly engrossed in Yang's stories since she started.

Yang reached across the table and pulled Blake's empty plate out from under her before she got food on the nice shirt she was wearing. "You make it sound like I did something amazing."

"You saved an entire village from a Deathstalker by yourself by blasting it's stinger off and embedding it into it's skull! Deathstalkers are no joke Yang. I saw my dad fight one years ago and even he had to have help."

"Yeah trust me I got a lecture from my dad, uncle, and my baby sister," Yang's lips turned up into a small smile at the memory of Ruby trying to look so intimidating with her hands on her hips, pacing the room. "Do you know how weird it is to get a talking to by your younger sibling?"

Blake shook her head. "Nah I'm an only child," sadness flashed in her eyes, almost like she wished she had siblings. "It's probably why my parents are so protective of me. But we didn't come here to listen to my stories. So why did you give it all up?"

"Give what up? Hunting?"

"You seemed to be doing so much good in your life. You've been to almost every continent on Remnant, you've saved entire villages, you've made so many lasting friendships all over the place, and yet you just up and quit one day? Why?"

Yang sighed. She had left the life of a Huntress for several reasons but it really boiled down to the loss of her sense of adventure but she didn't think that answer would satisfy Blake's curiosity. A quick glance at the clock revealed it was getting close to closing time. They had been there for two hours.

"That is a story for another time," Yang stood and tossed a hefty amount of Lien on the table. "The owner insists I don't pay since I saved him so I have to pay and dash or he will try to shove the money down my throat," she a answered the question in Blake's eyes. "C'mon I'll drive you home."

"That's probably not the best idea," Blake hastily said as they made their way out of the restaurant.

Yang glanced at her out of the corner of her eyes and nodded in acknowledgement. "You're parents?"

"Yeah. I was actually able to leave today without any trouble and I would rather not push my luck."

Once back at the bike Yang put on her helmet and gestured to the passenger seat. "I'll drive you Crosshares then. I take it it's close to your home?"

"I would love that," Blake smiled warmly at her and Yang was thankful her helmet hid the heat that was rising in her cheeks.

She drove slower on her way back and she purposedly took a longer route, just so she could continue to feel Blake's arms around her. This can't be normal. She thought to herself. I just met this girl yesterday so why do feel like this? She unconsciously rubbed her chest like it was sore. My chest feels tight and I can't look at her without my heart trying to beat it's way out. She parked in front of Crosshares and got off the bike with Blake. Guess there's one way to tell just how real this is. Good thing I start that job tomorrow just in case this goes horribly wrong.

"Thank you for the ride," Blake flattened her windblown hair and straightened the black bow she kept on the top of her head. "I had a really good time tonight Yang. We will have to do it again, minus the drunk asshole."

Yang reached out and grabbed Blake's wrist as she turned to leave. "I want to...uh...I want to try something."

"Try what?"

Yang answered her by gently pressing her lips to Blake's. Her usual confidence was overshadowed by her fear that Blake would shove her away but she let out a shocked moan as Blake returned the kiss, deepening it before ending the contact with a quick nip to Yang's bottom lip.

"It seems the distraction your lips have caused me all night was incredibly justified," Blake smirked and gave Yang another quick kiss before turning to walk home. "Keep in touch Xiao Long!" She called over her shoulder.

Yang stood on the sidewalk, paralyzed, for what seemed like an eternity as her brain tried to process just what had happened, when she felt something in her hand. It was a crinkled up piece of paper with a scroll number and a heart under the contact. She quickly pulled out her scroll to enter the number when her screen began to flash and vibrate. She stared at the familiar number in shock before hesitantly hitting the answer button.

"Been a while hasn't it sis?"